The Solon Board of Education on Jan. 12 approved a resolution to begin the process of placing a 6.9-mill additional current expense levy on the May 2026 ballot.

In the meeting, the district treasurer explained the move as a response to long-term revenue pressures including the elimination of tangible personal property reimbursements and a five-year forecast showing revenues crossing with expenses. The treasurer said this vote is "step 1 of 2 levy resolutions" and that the board will request that the county fiscal officer certify the annual revenue estimate the levy would generate; the county has 10 days to respond before the board considers the second resolution at a later January meeting.

The resolution does not itself put the levy on the ballot; it authorizes the district to seek the required certification so the board can consider the final ballot placement. Administrators said the proposed levy is a continuing operating levy at 6.9 mills — the same rate used in prior operating levies — and that district leaders sought to delay asking taxpayers until it was necessary.

Board members and district fiscal staff described years of declining state-related revenues and the loss of tangible personal property funding. The treasurer said the district’s carryover balance could fall to the mid- to low-20-percent range this fiscal year and, depending on expenses, may be between roughly 15–20 percent at the end of the next fiscal year.

No final revenue estimate from the county was available at the meeting; the board’s action was limited to declaring the necessity of the levy and initiating the certification process. A second, follow-up resolution to place the levy on the ballot is expected after the county returns its certification.

The board voted to advance the certification step at the Jan. 12 meeting; board members recorded their votes by roll call.